These astonishing images of Victorian London bring the capital of the past back to life, often with bleak visions of poverty and squalor.
Child Shoeblack, 1877. Independent shoeblacks were required to obtain a five-shilling yearly licence. From Thomson, J. and Smith, A. Street Life in London, Vol.1 (London: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington, 1877)
The images are part of the book Charles Booth's London Poverty Maps, a magnificently-illustrated tome which publishes the philanthropist's famous hand-coloured maps alongside anecdotes from the researchers, and contemporary photos, in one volume.
An Italian man selling halfpenny ices C. 1876. Selling ice creams in the street was a common trade for Italian migrants in London. This photograph appeared in John Thomson and Adolphe Smith's Street Life in London (1877–78), which recorded that 'ice men constitute a distinct feature of London life'. From Thomson, J. and Smith, A. Street Life in London, Vol.1 (London: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington, 1877)
In the faces of mattress stuffers, ice cream sellers and street musicians are etched the hardships of late 19th/early 20th century London life for the masses. Although the occasional smile is still forthcoming.
Booth's project colour coded the streets and individual buildings of the Victorian capital, marking them from 'Lowest Class. Vicious, semi-criminal' to Upper-middle and Upper classes. Wealthy.' 35% of those Booth surveyed lived in abject poverty, despite 55% of that 35% having an employment.
Charles Booth's London Poverty Maps is available from 24 October, RRP £49.95 but available for less. (Buying via this link will help support our site with a small commission.)